John Muir Trail Section Hike: A 5-Day Sierra Itinerary
One classic section, a high pass, alpine lakes & granite, on the JMT.
A 5-day John Muir Trail section hike from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite over 11,073-foot Donohue Pass and through the Ansel Adams Wilderness to Thousand Island Lake, the Devils Postpile, and Reds Meadow near Mammoth.
“I’ve requested to book a Chain Lakes Loop guide on ExplorOFF, and it was the best idea ever! I highly recommend going with their guided option since you get a real human connection on the trail and don’t have to worry about a thing. Yulia was great to talk to!”
16 stops on a real mapEvery stop pinned in order→John Muir Trail: every stop pinned in order.
Tuolumne Meadows, Donohue Pass, Thousand Island Lake & Reds Meadow · High Sierra
Every stop on this trip, in order, opens as one driving route in the Google Maps app. No copying addresses across one at a time.
John Muir Trail in photos: 5 of the stops.
Plan and book your 5 days in John Muir Trail, one step at a time
- Reds Meadow Road is under reconstruction: from September 21 to November 1, 2026 it is open only Saturday 7 am to Sunday 11 pm, and it closes to vehicles and pedestrians on November 2, so a Reds Meadow exit has to land on a weekend. Source
- YARTS summer bus service from Mammoth Lakes into Yosemite (Route 395/120E) ended after September 30, 2026; after that you need your own shuttle to the Tuolumne Meadows trailhead. Source
- No overnight parking is allowed along the Tioga Road or in its parking lots from October 15, which rules out leaving a car at Tuolumne Meadows for a multi-day trip after that date. Source
- Smoke from the Dome Fire, burning northeast of Wawona, can bring periods of unhealthy air to Yosemite; check air quality before you start. Source
How 5 days in John Muir Trail split up
Plan 5 days for John Muir Trail. Total distance: ~38 mi. Difficulty: Strenuous. Permit: Required. The John Muir Trail runs 211 miles from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48. It threads Yosemite, the Ansel Adams Wilderness, the John Muir Wilderness, and Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, climbing over a chain of 11,000 to 13,000-foot passes: Donohue, Silver, Selden, Muir, Mather, Pinchot, Glen, and Forester. The full trail takes most hikers about three weeks, which is why a JMT section hike is how the great majority of people experience it.
Day 1: Tuolumne Meadows & up Lyell Canyon
4 stops · Day one
Day 2: Over Donohue Pass into the Ansel Adams Wilderness
3 stops · Day two
Day 3: Thousand Island Lake & the Garnet Lake basin
3 stops · Day three
Day 4: Down toward the Devils Postpile & Reds Meadow
3 stops · Day four
Day 5: Out to Mammoth Lakes & onward
3 stops · Day five
Tuolumne Meadows & up Lyell Canyon
Start where the high country opens up. Tuolumne Meadows sits at about 8,600 feet on the Tioga Road in Yosemite, an easy launch point that lets you skip the long, hot climb out of Yosemite Valley. Pick up your wilderness permit, top off water, and store everything edible in your bear canister before you walk out of the trailhead.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Drive from~1.5 hr to Tuolumne · YARTS bus in summer, car stays in Mammoth · DriveMost hikers base in Mammoth Lakes the night before to acclimatize, then drive up the Tioga Road into Yosemite to the Tuolumne Meadows trailhead, about 1.5 hours. The Tioga Road is open only in summer and fall, so confirm it is plowed and open before you go, and arrange your shuttle or car logistics for the Reds Meadow finish. This is a one-way walk that ends back in Mammoth, so the simplest plan is to leave the car in Mammoth Lakes and ride the YARTS Route 395/120E bus to Tuolumne Meadows (summer service only; it ended September 30 in 2026).
- Tuolumne Meadows trailhead
~8,600 ft · pick up your permit · ViewpointTuolumne Meadows sits at about 8,600 feet on the Tioga Road, an easy launch point that skips the long, hot climb out of Yosemite Valley. Pick up your wilderness permit at the permit office, top off water, and pack everything edible into your bear canister before you walk out of the trailhead.
- Lyell Canyon on the JMT
Gentle riverside walk · easy grade · HikeThe first day eases you in along the Lyell Canyon stretch of the John Muir Trail, a gentle, nearly flat walk beside the meandering Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River, with granite domes and meadows on either side. It is a good first day to settle into the altitude before the big climb.
Camp in upper Lyell CanyonBelow Donohue Pass · start fresh · lodgeCamp in the upper canyon below the climb to Donohue Pass, so you start the big ascent fresh in the morning. Filter water from the Lyell Fork, store all food in your bear canister overnight, and enjoy an easy first night at altitude.
Over Donohue Pass into the Ansel Adams Wilderness
Today is the section's first big climb. The trail rises out of Lyell Canyon to Donohue Pass at 11,073 feet, the boundary between Yosemite and the Ansel Adams Wilderness and the spot where the Yosemite permit exit quota is enforced. Pace yourself on the switchbacks, drink often, and take in the view back over the Lyell Fork and ahead into a wilder, more rugged stretch of the Sierra.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Donohue Pass
11,073 ft · Yosemite boundary · HikeThe trail rises out of Lyell Canyon to Donohue Pass at 11,073 feet, the boundary between Yosemite and the Ansel Adams Wilderness and the spot where the Yosemite permit exit quota is enforced. Pace yourself on the switchbacks, drink often, and aim to be over the top by midday before storms build.
Into the Ansel Adams WildernessGranite, tarns & big peaks · ViewpointDescend the south side into the Ansel Adams Wilderness, a landscape of polished granite, tarns, and big peaks managed by the Inyo National Forest. Drop through Rush Creek country toward the Island Pass area with Banner and Ritter beginning to fill the skyline.
Peretz Partensky from / CC BY-SA 2.0Camp toward Island PassSet up before afternoon storms · lodgeSet up camp in the Island Pass area with Banner and Ritter on the skyline. In early summer the snow lingers up high and the creek crossings run cold and strong, so cross in the morning when flows are lowest and pitch your tent before afternoon thunderstorms roll in.
Thousand Island Lake & the Garnet Lake basin
This is the postcard day. The trail reaches Thousand Island Lake, a broad alpine lake scattered with tiny islands directly beneath the dark spire of Banner Peak, one of the most photographed scenes in the entire Sierra. Linger for the morning light, then continue past Garnet Lake, an equally stunning basin a little farther on, with Banner and Ritter rising straight from the water.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Thousand Island Lake
Banner Peak reflected · iconic view · ViewpointReach Thousand Island Lake, a broad alpine lake scattered with tiny islands directly beneath the dark spire of Banner Peak, one of the most photographed scenes in the entire Sierra. Linger for the morning light, and respect the camping limits near the outlet and along the fragile shoreline.
Ken Lund from Reno, Ne / CC BY-SA 2.0Garnet LakeBanner & Ritter from the water · HikeContinue past Garnet Lake, an equally stunning basin a little farther on, with Banner and Ritter rising straight from the water. The JMT rolls over small ridges between these lake basins, so take it slow and let the scenery be the whole point of the day.
- Camp in the lake basins
Durable ground · back from shorelines · lodgeCamp on durable ground back from the fragile shorelines, respecting the posted limits. The modest mileage today leaves time to swim, photograph, and simply sit by the water in one of the most beautiful basins on this whole section of the trail.
Down toward the Devils Postpile & Reds Meadow
Today the trail trends downhill, leaving the high lake basins and descending through forest toward the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin. The grade eases and the air thickens as you lose elevation, a welcome change after days up high. Keep your eyes on the peaks behind you and your feet on the rocky, rooty tread as the trail loses altitude steadily.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Devils Postpile National MonumentHexagonal basalt columns · ViewpointAs the trail descends through forest toward the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin, the air thickens and the grade eases. Just off the JMT, the Devils Postpile is a striking wall of hexagonal basalt columns formed by cooling lava, well worth the short detour to walk the base and climb to the top.
- Resupply at Reds Meadow
Store, cafe & hot springs · activityA short walk on is Reds Meadow, a road-accessible resupply point with a small store, cafe, and nearby hot springs. Many section hikers resupply here, mail a box ahead, or end their trip. Confirm the resort's seasonal operating dates before you rely on it.
- Last night near Reds Meadow
Road-accessible · near the shuttle · lodgeCamp near Reds Meadow for your last night on the trail, close to the Mammoth shuttle for the ride out tomorrow. After a soak at the hot springs and a meal at the cafe, it is an easy, road-accessible end to the backcountry portion of the trip.
Out to Mammoth Lakes & onward
Wrap up the section with the short final miles out and the ride back to civilization. From Reds Meadow the Mammoth Mountain shuttle runs up to the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center, where you can grab a real meal, a shower, and a bed in Mammoth Lakes. After days above 10,000 feet, the town's restaurants and hot showers feel like a luxury.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Reds Meadow shuttle to Mammoth
Summer shuttle to the Adventure Center · DriveFrom Reds Meadow the Mammoth Mountain shuttle runs up to the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center for most of the summer day. The road requires the shuttle during operating hours, so time your exit to the schedule or arrange an early-morning pickup before the restriction starts. The road is under reconstruction: from September 21 to November 1, 2026 it is open only from Saturday 7 am to Sunday 11 pm, and it closes for the season on November 2.
moonjazz from San DIeg / CC BY-SA 2.0A bed & shower in Mammoth LakesEastern Sierra hub · restaurants & gear · lodgeBack in Mammoth Lakes, grab a real meal, a shower, and a bed. After days above 10,000 feet, the town's restaurants and hot showers feel like a luxury. It is the eastern Sierra hub for lodging, gear shops, and resupply, and books up on summer weekends, so reserve ahead.
Getting home: MMH, Reno or FresnoMMH seasonal · Reno ~3 hr · Fresno west side · DriveMammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) has seasonal flights, or it is roughly 3 hours to Reno (RNO) over the Sierra, and longer to Fresno (FAT) on the west side. If you have a permit and the legs, this same section connects south to Vermilion Valley Resort, Muir Trail Ranch, Muir Pass, and ultimately Mount Whitney, so it makes a natural building block for a longer thru-hike.
Sort where you sleep each night
Most nights on this trip are in a tent. Reserve any campsite the route needs, and the room either side of it if you want one.
Tell us your dates and we will do the calling: the rooms either side, and the guided days in between. Nothing is charged and you decide at the end.
Request to bookMt. Whitney opens on its own calendar
Day and overnight Mt. Whitney lottery.
| Permit | Required: Mt. Whitney Official page |
|---|---|
| Application window | February 1 to March 1 lottery, results March 15 |
| Odds of drawing | Hard on weekends, easier midweek |
| If your application is denied | Apply for weekday dates, or grab unclaimed walk-up permits at the Lone Pine ranger station. |
| Trip starts from | Lone Pine, CA, flying into Las Vegas (LAS) |
What to pack for John Muir Trail
Built from this route, not a generic list. Every line says why it is here.
On every day of this trip
On your feet
Because you are sleeping out 4 nights
For the 1 night under a roof
For the drive to the trailhead
What we actually learned on the trail.
A wilderness permit is required
You need a wilderness permit for any overnight on the John Muir Trail, and the Yosemite JMT and trailhead quotas are competitive. Apply early through recreation.gov, and if you plan to exit over Donohue Pass or finish at Mount Whitney, make sure your permit covers those quota points.
Carry an approved bear canister
A bear canister is required throughout this section to store all food, trash, and scented items. Black bears are active and clever in the Sierra. Pack a canister that fits your trip length, and never leave food in your tent or pack overnight.
Plan your resupply
For a 5-day section you can carry all your food, but for longer JMT trips resupply at Reds Meadow, Vermilion Valley Resort, or Muir Trail Ranch. Mail boxes ahead where allowed, confirm each spot's seasonal dates, and account for the cost of holding and forwarding fees.
Hike July through September
The high passes are largely snow-free from about July into September, the prime window for this section. In early summer the passes hold snow and the creek crossings run high and cold. Always check current conditions on the Inyo National Forest and Yosemite sites before you go.
Acclimatize before you climb
This is strenuous backpacking with passes from 11,000 feet and up. Spend a night or two acclimatizing in Mammoth Lakes or Bishop first, climb slowly, drink plenty of water, and watch for the headache and nausea of altitude sickness on the high days.
Plan around afternoon storms
Sierra thunderstorms build fast on summer afternoons. Get over the high passes by midday, avoid exposed ridges when storms threaten, and have a plan to drop to lower, sheltered ground if lightning rolls in.
John Muir Trail: questions before you go
John Muir Trail permits: the questions people ask most.
A popular 5-day JMT section hike runs from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite south over Donohue Pass through the Ansel Adams Wilderness, past Thousand Island Lake and Garnet Lake, and down to the Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow near Mammoth Lakes. It is about 38 miles, packs in one big 11,073-foot pass and the most iconic alpine lakes on this part of the trail, and finishes at a road-accessible resupply point with a shuttle back to town.
The John Muir Trail is 211 miles from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney. It crosses Yosemite, the Ansel Adams Wilderness, the John Muir Wilderness, and Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, climbing over a chain of high passes including Donohue, Silver, Selden, Muir, Mather, Pinchot, Glen, and Forester. Most hikers take about three weeks to walk it end to end, which is why so many do it as shorter sections.
Yes. A wilderness permit is required for any overnight trip on the John Muir Trail, and demand far exceeds supply. Reserve through recreation.gov as early as the booking window allows. For this section, your permit needs to cover starting at Tuolumne Meadows and exiting over Donohue Pass, where Yosemite enforces an exit quota. If you continue to Mount Whitney, you also need to clear the Whitney exit quota.
July through September is the prime season, when the high passes are largely snow-free and the weather is most stable. Early summer can still hold snow on the passes and run the creek crossings high and cold, while October brings the risk of early storms. Always check current snow, water, and trail conditions on the Inyo National Forest and Yosemite websites before your trip.
Yes. An approved bear canister is required throughout this part of the Sierra to store all food, trash, and scented items. Black bears are active and skilled at getting unattended food, so a canister is both required and genuinely necessary. Choose a canister sized for your trip length and store it well away from your tent at night.
For a 5-day section you can carry all your food, but longer JMT trips rely on a handful of resupply points: Reds Meadow near Mammoth, Vermilion Valley Resort on Lake Edison, and Muir Trail Ranch deeper in the backcountry. Most hikers mail resupply boxes ahead where allowed. Confirm each location's seasonal operating dates and any holding fees before you rely on it.
It is strenuous. Even a short section involves multi-day backpacking with a full pack, sustained climbs, and passes above 11,000 feet where the thin air makes everything harder. Acclimatize for a night or two in Mammoth Lakes or Bishop first, build in modest daily mileage, and be honest about your fitness and backcountry experience before you commit.
The eastern Sierra hub is Mammoth Lakes, with the small Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) for seasonal flights, plus Reno (RNO) about three hours away and Fresno (FAT) on the west side. Tuolumne Meadows is reached via the Tioga Road, open only in summer and fall. At the finish, the Reds Meadow shuttle runs from Mammoth Mountain, so most hikers ride it back to town. Bishop is a handy base to the south for permits and gear.
No. Hanging food is neither allowed nor effective on this stretch of the Sierra, where an approved hard-sided bear canister is required to store all food, trash, and scented items. The local black bears are experts at defeating hung food, so tree-hanging is banned in favor of canisters. Pack everything scented into the canister each night and set it on the ground well away from your tent.
Yosemite enforces a competitive exit quota at Donohue Pass, and if your permit does not specifically authorize you to exit over the pass, rangers can turn you back at the boundary. When you reserve on recreation.gov, confirm the wording covers starting at Tuolumne Meadows and exiting via Donohue. If you continue all the way to Mount Whitney, you also need to clear the separate Whitney exit quota.
Yes, Mt. Whitney is required. Day and overnight Mt. Whitney lottery.
Application window: February 1 to March 1 lottery, results March 15.
Hard on weekends, easier midweek.
Apply for weekday dates, or grab unclaimed walk-up permits at the Lone Pine ranger station.
Lone Pine, CA is the gateway town, flying into Las Vegas (LAS).
Tell us your dates and we ask a local guide who works this area what they can do on your days and what it costs. If nobody is free, we tell you. Asking is free: no card, no deposit, and nothing is held until you say yes.
Pick how you want to go.
Same 5-day route. Same 8 stops.
- 4 nights, sites along the route
- $96
- Rental car, 5 days
- $325
- Gas, about 119 miles
- $25
- A private local guide, campsites booked
- Included
- Airport pickup and every drive
- Included
- Park, permit and campsite fees paid
- Included
- All the gear and the trail meals
- Included
Written and walked by Yulia Vasilyeva · Co-founder · Lead planner and guide
Three years leading guided hikes in the Pacific Northwest, rated 5.0 by 20+ verified guests, and she builds every custom itinerary herself. Based in Seattle.
Last checked September 2026
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You can't hike it if you can't get the permit.
The best hikes in America run on lotteries that open once a year and sell out in minutes. Every trail runs on its own calendar. Pick the ones you want and we do the watching.
The WaveCoyote Buttes North · Arizona / UtahPermitLotterybrutal odds
Half Dome CablesYosemite NP · CaliforniaPermitOpens Mar 1fair odds
Mt. WhitneyInyo NF · CaliforniaPermitOpens Feb 1tough odds
Angels LandingZion NP · UtahPermitLotterytough odds
The SubwayZion NP · UtahPermitLotterytough odds
Mount St. Helens Summit ClimbGifford Pinchot NF · WashingtonPermitReservationtough odds
How it works
- An email the morning each window opens, never the day after.
- A 14-day heads-up so you can line up your group and dates.
- Win odds and a ranked backup plan for every trail you pick.
Didn't win? We keep watching. We check recreation.gov every day for The Enchantments, Half Dome and Angels Landing, and email you the moment a sold-out date frees up. Cancellations are the second chance most people never hear about.